Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

The precise part taken by Basil in the election of Eusebius can only be conjectured.
Eusebius, like Ambrose of Milan, a layman of rank and influence, was elevated per saltum
to the episcopate. Efforts were made by Julian and by some Christian objectors to get the
appointment annulled by means of Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus, on the ground of its
having been brought about by violence. Bishop Gregory refused to take any retrogressive
steps, and thought the scandal of accepting the tumultuary appointment would be less than
that of cancelling the consecration. Gregory the younger presumably supported his father,
and he associates Basil with him as probable sufferers from the imperial vengeance. 100 But
he was at Nazianzus at the time of the election, and Basil is more likely to have been an
active agent. 101
To this period may be referred Basil’s receipt of the letter from Athanasius, mentioned
in Letter CCIV., § 6. 102 On the accession of Jovian, in June, 363, Athanasius wrote to him
asserting the Nicene Faith, but he was greeted also by a Semiarian manifesto from Antioch, 103
of which the first signatory was Meletius.
Valentinian and Valens, on their accession in the following year, thus found the Church
still divided on its cardinal doctrines, and the lists were marked in which Basil was henceforward
to be a more conspicuous combatant.
100 Or. v. 39.
101 cf. Greg. Naz. Ep. viii.
102 Maran, Vit. Bas. viii. 8.
103 Soc. iii. 25.
Basil and the Councils, to the Accession of Valens.
23